Global Holcim Awards finalist 2009

Harnessing nature
Energy-efficient office complex
Hyderabad, India

The focus here is on development.

Merrill (SOM) is one of the largest
architecture firms in the world. They built
Its a rewarding experience because
the Sears Tower in Chicago, New Yorks
Time Warner Center and the worlds tallest combined with a can-do attitude
building at a height of over 800, the Burj
are rich traditions and a unique
Dubai. The SOM design for One World
Trade Center, the first office tower to rise
on the World Trade Center site is also
culture.
New York-based Skidmore, Owings &

Mark Igou

currently under construction.

Regional competition

Holcim Awards Bronze 2008 Asia Pacific; jury appraisal page 112

A new office complex on the outskirts of

solutions which best suit local condit

the Indian city of Hyderabad harnesses a

With seven offices worldwide, it is no

Part of a global firm, Mark Igou has his

Collaborating with some of Indias

resource the country is rich in, but which many

surprise to learn the firm is active in India.

feet firmly rooted in the soil where he

foremost academics and research

SOM Director Mark Igou leads the firms

works. You can apply the old adage

specialists to develop a meaningful

practice in India and currently oversees

think global, act local to what were

understanding of local issues combin

the Hill Country Special Economic Zone

doing here, he says. Although SOM is

with the firms legacy of design and

(SEZ) Office Complex project a

an international practice with global

technical innovation delivers architec

sustainable office complex in Hyderabad

expertise, it also possesses a deep

seamlessly integrated to local conditi

that sets new standards on the sub-

understanding of the cultural, environ-

and needs, Mark Igou explains.

continent. Mark Igou is a passionate

mental and political issues which are most

ambassador for his work in India. The

relevant to India. We can bring all this

The solution proposed by SOM for the

country just buzzes with life, he explains.

global thinking together to develop

County Special Economic Zone (SEZ) o

architectural solutions have sought to escape

in the past the sun. In so doing, it manages
to meet two seemingly conflicting objectives
to maximize shading as well as the use of
daylight. The result is a significant reduction
in energy consumption.

202

Global thinking, local action

Walk to work is the tagline for the

concept.

the outskirts of Hyderabad is a case in

point. SEZs are government-backed export
processing zones to fast-track economic

Mark Igou

development and foreign investment.

2007 when the Energy Conservation

Building Code was established. The n

office complex is on target to achieve

LEED Gold rating, and promises to pio

Some 100 such zones already exist; a

be stuck in traffic chaos, which is neither

reduces energy consumption compared

change a new standard for sustainab

further 250 are in development. As well as

economically nor environmentally sound.

to the average Indian office building by

design on the sub-continent. This cli

designing an iconic building for Hill

The master plan envisions a mixed-use

35-40%. This effectively reduces the buil-

isnt mild, Mark Igou points out. The

Countys developer, Maytas Properties,

development programmed with public

dings overall carbon emission, a concern

can be relentless but an understand

SOM are responsible for the zones overall

amenities such as parks, plazas and com-

emphasized by the government of India in

of the harsh local climate informs the

master plan.

munity centers. Living and recreational

buildings numerous sustainable inno

space for up to 30,000 people is antici-

tions.

Enhancing the quality of life

pated. Walk to work is the tagline for the

The master plan takes into account local

concept and encouraged by an attractive

Natural or artificial lighting?

living and work practices together with an

streetscape design, higher quality of life

The SOM Team had four objectives for

analysis of the current state of the

is the goal.

design concept: to reduce energy cons

tion, improve worker comfort, ensure l

regions infrastructure. People generally

come to work by bus in India, Mark Igou

Sustainable design in a contrary climate

maintenance costs over the life of the

explains. But the roads here dont have

Currently under construction, the Hill

building, and decrease reliance on pub

the capacity to support all of the proposed

Country SEZ Office Complex will house

infrastructure. All our objectives were

development. The SEZ, therefore, will only

around 3,000 workers across 110,000

response to the situation, for example

be able to function optimally if workers

square meters of space in the IT and IT-

to improve worker comfort. Mark Igou

live in its vicinity otherwise they would

The new office complex is only one part of the overall master plan for the Hill County Special Economic Zone.

enabled sector. Its intriguing design

Mark Igou.

explains that in many IT company offi

workspaces are cramped and there is little

energy balance is disturbed. By keeping

Outages are a common occurrence,

infrastructure. We are developing our own

cept, they will reconnect those who work

by bridges. The layout is organized aro

natural light. To minimize direct sunlight

sunlight out, office spaces must be

disrupting work days and schedules, and a

sustainable solutions. Strategies to

within with the wider world outside.

a series of interior courtyards which a

turning the building into an oven, most

artificially lit, and in India, this accounts for

major problem for a country that wants to

increase both worker comfort and building

Yet, the idea is not new. The concept ori-

sun-light to penetrate down into the

offices have heavily tinted windows, he

some 60% of all energy consumption. The

continue to grow. On the contrary, it

performativity include interior courtyards

ginates from Indias ancient architectural

buildings core a solution which is

says. The effect, however, is not just an

load this places on power infrastructure is

contributes to decentralization and a desire

and light wells, and exterior shading

philosophy Vastu Sastra which seeks to

optimized to harness the suns energy

issue of worker comfort it means the

massive, and growing, Mark Igou explains.

to minimize reliance on government

devices based on vernacular Indian

create harmony between the built environ-

and decreases dependence on electric

architecture.

ment and the five natural elements earth,

lighting. In this way, the design succes

water, fire, air and space.

fully meets two seemingly conflicting

Minimal reduction
in solar radiation

Extruded model east and north faades

Connecting inside and out

Stepped model east and north faades

objectives to maximize shading as w

In SOMs case this meant feeding a

in action. For its own sake, and beyond.

plethora of data concerning rainfall, wind

Nature is not the enemy, Mark Igou says.

direction, sun exposure and temperature

While this strategy is low-tech, the

We spend much of our lives disconnected

into their computers. The modeled clima-

result for energy savings and building

from the real world moving from our

tic conditions and analysis significantly

comfort are high-impact. The buildin

air-conditioned houses, to air-conditioned

informed the buildings overall design.

workspaces are contained in the nort

south wings in relatively narrow floo

cars, to drive to air-conditioned offices.

30% reduction
in solar radiation

as the use of daylight.

The buildings design is energy-efficiency

High impact, low-tech

plates, 22 meters in width. The east a

As a result, the SOM team challenged this

The office complex is lean, and low-rise.

west wings, subject to high radiation

paradigm by understanding climactic

It is constructed in two sections, connected

levels, are occupied by cores containin

challenges and developing design strategies that harness their potential. By

Extruded model west and south faades

Stepped model west and south faades

harnessing the suns energy in their con-

Nature is not the enemy.

Mark Igou

Passively and
virtually green

The belief that cutting edge architectural des

and energy efficiency cannot be combined is
shattered by some contemporary office build
designs. Skidmore, Owing and Merrill (SOM) w
complete Chinas first zero-net energy skyscra
terms of operating energy in 2010. The Pearl R
Tower faade captures wind to power turbine
help to reduce dependence on conventional e
sources. The building will also tap into sun, co
water aquifers and other available natural en
streams. But how is a design tested before th
foundations are placed?

Passive energy design from computer genera

modeling is a big part of the solution. Individ
buildings are modeled with solar orientation
their exteriors to keep out the summer heat b
allow warning light in winter. Interiors use pa
ric modeling to heighten passive solar access
maximum office productivity, and thermal im
software to optimize energy efficient perform
Combined with geothermal heating and cool
designs, and integrated active photovoltaic so
skins.

Vertical shading fins are positioned at varying but fixed

angles they are inspired by the traditional perforated
stone screen jali.

outwards toward the south to reduce solar

fixed to the building but the angle of their

gains. However, it is the faade design

positioning, determined through extensive

which particularly stands out.

shading coefficient analysis, varies. The

elevator shafts, stairs, toilets and other

ideal would have been to constantly vary

A good project is the product of a

well-developed process.

Mark Igou (pictured above)

service rooms. Self-shading effects are

A system of vertical shading fins runs the

the angles of the fins throughout the year

energy. This then became the most

construction of the complex. The design

Structure reflects the landscape

achieved from stepping the building up,

full length of the building. The fins are

but that needs too much additional

sustainable solution achieving an 88%

aims to ensure low maintenance costs

The complex takes full advantage of i

optimization with this method, Mark Igou

over a long building life as well as being

contoured and rocky terrain, elevating

says. The fins are aesthetic as well as

flexible enough to not require structural

as extensions of the contours them-

functional. They are inspired by the jali, a

adjustments over time.

selves. A ribbon effect is created as th

structure reflects the landscape into

vernacular perforated stone screen, and

According to SOMs calculations, the

which it is grafted. Weve taken the

higher capital costs to realize construction

opportunity to interpret traditions an

Better atmosphere, less turnover

will be amortized in two years by the

harness the optimism of the country

Other contributions to the sustainable

reduced energy consumption. Mark Igou is

much as the energy of the sun in our

performance of the building focus on

pleased with the progress. We have

design.

water use. Rainwater is harvested for

created a better atmosphere in which

irrigation and aquifer replenishment.

people can work, he says. Higher

Red thread of sustainability

Onsite sewage treatment enables the

employee satisfaction is a welcome by-

Coupled with that optimism is the re

processing and re-use of grey-water for

product of improved working conditions.

thread of sustainability that binds th

non-potable uses, including chilled water

Indias IT industry experiences significant

whole together. Or as Mark Igou simp

for air handling units. In addition, local

turnover rates, not least because of this

says: A good project is the product of

materials and techniques are used in the

reason.

well-developed process.

incorporate the traditional Kolam pattern.

The building is stepped-up towards the south self-shading is the result.